Recent reports are suggesting that the next generation Mazda MX-5 will be lighter and smaller than the current model. Now, there are reports stating that the new model will achieve an almost unbelievable fuel economy figure of just 3.4 l/100km – compared to 8.1 l/100km for the current generation MX-5.

The massive gain in fuel economy is expected to come thanks to the next MX-5’s rumoured 1000kg kerb weight (only 60kg heavier than the original MX-5) and Mazda’s new SKY-G petrol engine.

The Sky-G motor makes use of an all-new engine block, designed to reduce mechanical friction and produce an optimal air-fuel mix.

Mazda also claims the new Sky-Drive automatic transmission chips in as well and improves fuel economy by approximately five percent. But whether the low reported fuel figures are based on an automatic or manual variant of the new MX-5 is unclear.

With the demands of modern safety requirements the next MX-5 will probably be only slightly smaller than the current model, meaning that smart design and lightweight construction will be vital for the success of the next generation MX-5.

To prove it’s all possible Mazda’s MX-5 Superlight concept (pictured) revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show weighed in at just 995kg, thanks to numerous weight-saving techniques.

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The Mazda MX-5 has become the biggest selling roadster of all time thanks to a simple, unchanging formula of low weight and fun dynamics.

To celebrate the car’s 20th anniversary, Mazda recently unveiled a special edition model for sale in the Japanese domestic market, but that wasn’t enough. Now Mazda has released images of a speedster-style concept dubbed the MX-5 Superlight. The concept, which is set to be revealed at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, has the front windscreen removed and futuristic-looking roll bars at the rear.

While Mazda is keeping mum about the finer details, it is expected that a number of weight-saving measures have been undertaken on the car. The MX-5 Superlight was designed by Mazda’s in-house team in Germany, and other unique cosmetic and structural changes include the absence of A-pillars and door handles as well as the smooth front and rear decks.

In terms of engines, the concept is expected to be fitted with the standard MX-5’s range-topping 2.0L gasoline engine, and with all the weight-saving measures put in place the Superlight should be very rapid.

Sadly, a production version of the car will most likely never happen, and the MX-5 Superlight will most likely remain a commemorative concept for the 20th birthday of the MX-5.

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When Mazda debuted the MX-5, or Roadster as it’s known in Japan, back in 1989, few would have thought it would go on to become the best-selling open-top sports car of all time. Now, over 860,000 vehicles later, the car is officially the most popular roadster in existence. To celebrate its success and the 20th anniversary of the car, Mazda has released a special edition for the Japanese market.

Based on either the soft-top six-speed manual version or the retractable hard-top automatic version of the car, the Roadster 20th Anniversary comes with a bespoke equipment set to make it stand out from the regular lineup.

While they may not have the lengthy history of roadsters or coupes the hot hatch is now a well-established vessel for automotive performance and practicality. Since the VW Golf GTI of the 1970s, hot hatches have been in the mainstream and back when I was a teenager in NZ their popularity was unmatched. In my suburban slice of the country, king of the hatchbacks was the Mazda 323 DOHC Turbo. The 323/Familia was an unrelenting angry little car with sharp styling and an appetite for budget performance modifications. A quick look in the car classifieds reveals almost no 323s of that era for sale – most have been crashed, driven to death or hidden away. Rather than a sign of poor reliability it may be the mark of a much-loved hot hatch.

A lot has changed since the mid-eighties 323 but the Kiwi thirst for the raw power of the hot hatch remains. In a recent effort to satisfy that desire Mazda has released its second generation Mazda3 MPS.

This new MPS sees no increase in power, torque or performance figures. Instead, massive effort has been put into refining and finessing almost everything else.

The previous MPS was often accused of being aesthetically dull and near indistinguishable from its lower spec Mazda3 siblings. The new car is far more aggressively styled with large chunky bumpers, low side skirts, a high rear spoiler and an Impreza-style bonnet scoop. Finished off with 18-inch rims, extensive colour coding and twin exhausts the end result is a purposeful and menacing looking machine.

Inside you get a mix of uniquely shaped dark plastics and red accents, general quality and fit is very good and it’s far more spacious than hot hatches of old. Half-leather buckets with red stitching look great and provide firm lateral support. The steering wheel is busy with control buttons and although pleasing to the touch can easily obscure the ringed instrument cluster depending on adjustment. Nighttime illumination is a bit special with some trick touches to impress passengers. Other standard equipment includes, dual zone climate control, 10-speaker Bose premium stereo with amp and subwoofer, keyless entry and start, and rain-sensing wipers. Overall the MPS interior is a pleasant place to be, switch gear and displays are functional if a touch cluttered but everything is well screwed together.

Push the go button and the beauty quickly turns to beast as the MPS sucks in its first breaths. Sitting under the curved bonnet is Mazda’s 2.3-litre direct-injection turbocharged motor. It’s no toy and puts out a thumping 190kw of power and 380Nm of torque, this unit will take the MPS from 0-100kmh in 6.1 seconds and not give up till it reaches 250km/h. The engine’s generous power is detectable from low revs but the real thrust builds from 2800rpm making eager straight-line acceleration a signature trait for the MPS.

Mated to a sharp six-speed manual box, it’s easy to keep the MPS going hard with well-sorted gear ratios that maximize available power. It may take a while to get used to the clutch and it’s guilty of being a touch jumpy when the MPS is high in the rev-range. Fuel economy is 9.9l/100km combined, a respectable figure for a performance vehicle.

While offering four-wheel-drive was part of the success of the early Mazda 323s the new Mazda3 MPS shifts power exclusively to the front wheels. So the big question is: what about torque steer?

Mazda has worked hard on minimising torque steer and this has included limiting the amount of torque delivered in the first three gears, and also when the wheels are not pointing straight ahead. It works well, you can still find some torque steer if you seek it out but in dry conditions it’s not a major concern. That said, an MPS with half-worn tyres on wintery NZ roads would make for a much truer test.

The MPS is most fun on twisting open roads where it’s well balanced, has good grip and is a rapid point-to-point driver. The steering is light but precise and provides keen communication with those busy front-wheels.

In terms of comfort, the ride is firm but no more than you’d expect with a stiff chassis and a sports handling focus. What’s impressive is how quiet the cabin is even with the engine working hard, this significantly adds to an overall feeling of refinement.

If the MPS gets out of shape a Dynamic Stability Control system with traction control and a limited slip differential is ready to pull it back straight. If that doesn’t work out a full compliment of airbags are waiting.

There’s a lot to like about the Mazda3 MPS it’s got the ultra-modern styling the raw pace and the right equipment level. It also shows that there’s a much larger dose of practicality to sports hatchbacks now and this can be achieved while making very few compromises in performance and driver appeal.

It’s easy to get caught up in figures and specifications with hot hatches and forget the most important thing — they’re meant to be fun. The MPS is definitely that, it’s not knife-edge, “I’m about to crash backwards” fun, but has still inherited much of the character of its 323 ancestors. If you’re in the market for a new performance-orientated hatchback and you don’t want to join the VW GTI driving masses, then the MPS could be the right match for you. If not, it will still be a blast test-driving it.

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The launch of the next-generation Mazda MX-5 has reportedly been delayed as far as late 2011 because of a number of major changes in store for the car. Not only is Mazda developing a new lightweight platform and more fuel-efficient powertrains, but a new coupe version is also expected to join the range.

The MX-5’s chief developer, Takao Kijima, has stated that the new model will be smaller and at least 10% lighter than the current car.

The goal for Mazda will be to make the car’s styling and proportions closer to that of the original 1989 model. However, interior space and safety features will advance over the current car due to improved engineering. Both a folding hard-top roof and a conventional fabric soft-top are expected, as well as a possible coupe.

It appears the MX-5 Superlight concept (pictured) from the recent 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show wasn’t just hot air but could be a preview of what a future version of the popular roadster would look like.

In terms of powertrains, an inside source recently revealed that it would come with a range of light and compact 1.4 and 1.6-litre engines with direct-injection and turbocharging technologies. The source also revealed that the car would probably make use of an electronic power steering system to help conserve more fuel.

Other new features could include a dual-clutch transmission as well as a revised suspension set-up. To save additional weight, Mazda may adopt new steel construction methods that enable less metal to be used in its cars’ bodies.